Roof vent

ABSTRACT

A roof vent is provided that exhibits simplicity of construction, ease of installation, durability, and effectiveness. The roof vent may be made of metal. In one embodiment, components of the roof vent include Z-shaped support members, a vent cap that attaches to the Z-shaped members, and end caps that attach to the Z-shaped members. In one embodiment, the vent cap attaches to and extends between first and second Z-shaped members, the vent cap having edge flanges that extends inwardly at an acute angle relative to the vent cap and project downwardly so as to deflect downward wind and rain. In another embodiment, at least one adjustable closure is coupled to a Z-shaped member for reducing venting action and protecting against penetration of wind, rain, etc.

The present invention relates to roof vents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A known roof vent is described in U.S. Patent Application 2001/0052207, incorporated herein by reference. As described therein, a continuing problem in roof construction techniques is how to ventilate the crawlspace (commonly in the form of an attic) properly to prevent the buildup of excessive heat. Improperly ventilated roofing decreases the life span of the roof itself because the built-up heat in effect cooks the roofing material. Sunlight heats the exposed portion of the roof which in turn heats the underside of the roof and the crawlspace. If the heat in the area underneath the roof is not allowed to escape efficiently, the temperature on the underside of the roof can exceed 300 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, especially over an extended period of time, the roofing material can sometimes crystallize or deform resulting in leaks or other structural deficiencies.

The roof vent described in the foregoing patent publication may be improved upon in various aspects, such as simplicity of construction, ease of installation, durability, and effectiveness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The present invention may be further understood from the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the appended drawing figures. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a roof vent.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a Z-shaped member that may be used in a roof vent such as that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of another Z-shaped member that may be used in a roof vent such as that of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Summary

A roof vent is provided that exhibits simplicity of construction, ease of installation, durability, and effectiveness. The roof vent may be made of metal. In one embodiment, components of the roof vent include Z-shaped support members, a vent cap that attaches to the Z-shaped members, and end caps that attach to the Z-shaped members. In one embodiment, the vent cap attaches to and extends between first and second Z-shaped members, the vent cap having edge flanges that extends inwardly at an acute angle relative to the vent cap and project downwardly so as to deflect downward wind and rain. In another embodiment, at least one adjustable closure is coupled to a Z-shaped member for reducing venting action and protecting against penetration of wind, rain, etc.

Description

Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the ridge vent system 100 is made up of three major components.

The first piece is a Z-shaped member 101, also called the “Z rail.” The installation of the ridge vent system typically involves the installation of two of these Z rail units, installed on opposite sides of the ridge that will be vented. In FIG. 1, a roof section 109 of a roof 107 is exposed and has openings (e.g., holes or slots) formed therein.

The unit 100 may be built of metal that has been pre-painted to extend life span, protecting against deterioration of the steel. In practice, the Z rail 101 may be formed in ten foot long sections.

Referring to FIG. 2, in one illustrative embodiment, the Z rail 201 has a solid one inch flange 202 on the top or upper side followed by a ninety degree bend downward. From the upper ninety degree bend downward a portion 204 of the metal is perforated with a more or less continuous array of one eighth inch holes 206 staggered three sixteenth inches apart. The measurement from the top ninety degree bend to the lower ninety degree bend in the opposite direction may be one and a quarter inches. This one and a quarter inch section of the Z rail is perforated as described. The second ninety degree bend is opposed to the first and has at least one row 206 of one eighth inch holes spaced across the bottom edge of the ninety degree bend to allow any water that may get in to escape outward. The bottom edge 206 of the Z rail may otherwise be solid with a one quarter inch upward facing flange 203 bent at an eighty degree angle. The foregoing dimensions, as well as other dimensions set forth herein, should be understood to be both approximate and illustrative only.

It will further be understood that the term “Z-shaped” as used herein is not to be construed in an exact sense but rather allows for the sloped part of the Z to be upright instead of sloped.

Referring to FIG. 3, in a further embodiment, the Z rail unit 301 is provided with a secondary piece of metal, or closure member, that is shaped like an L and functions as a closure member. It may measure one and three sixteenths inches high with a one half inch ninety degree bend on the top. The one and three sixteenths inch side 307B may be perforated with an array of one eighth inch holes (not shown) staggered three sixteenths inches apart The one half inch flange 307B on the top side of the L is optional. However, it has been found to gives the metal support and helps to keep the unit in alignment. The closure member 307 rests against the inside back portion 304 of the Z rail. The closure member 307 is attached to the front Z rail using, for example, a pin 305 that is fastened securely to the closure member 307 and passes through a small slit (not shown) in the Z rail. The pin 305 is configured so that the pin will slide left and right or up and down but will not travel through the slit on the Z rail. Moving the pin slightly in one direction or the other will move the closure member 307, causing the holes in the Z rail to be open or partly or fully closed. The openings 306 in the Z rail can be of different configurations such as slits, louvers, or holes as long as they are small enough to keep out wind driven rain, weather, insects, vermin, etc. The closure member (secondary piece of metal) 307 that moves to close off the openings can also have slits or holes as long as the openings coincide with the openings on the Z rail so that when they are opposed to each other and when one of the units is moved the openings in the other will be open or closed.

Operation of the closure member may be manual, as shown, or may be automated by use of one or more motors, control electronics, communications electronics fired or wireless), etc.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the second piece is called the “end cap.” The end cap 105 may be made of metal or pre-painted metal to resist deterioration and extend the life span of the unit, The end cap 105 has a Z-shaped cross section. The end cap 105 may be solid metal. The top edge 105A may be two and three quarters wide by fourteen inches long, with a bend across the top of the two and three quarter inch side to allow the end cap 105 to be bent and installed over different roofing pitches. The top edge 105A also has a one half inch fold on each side 105D of the top edge 105A to allow the end cap 105 to attach to the Z rail 101. The mid section 105B of the end cap may be solid metal, one and a quarter inches in height. In one embodiment, an inverted “V-shaped” section cut (not shown) is formed at the midpoint for metal forming purposes to allow for the proper roof angle alignment. The bottom flange or edge 105C may be two inches wide and fourteen inches long. The bottom flange 105C is fastened to the roofing material to close and seal the end of the ridge venting system so that rain, insects, vermin, etc. cannot get in. Following installation, the bottom flange 105C may be covered by roofing material, such as a ridge shingle (not shown).

The end cap section 105 may optionally be covered with a decorative coating, such as stone coating or a stone chip coating. Such coatings are produced, for example, by the 3M Corporation as well as other suppliers. Typically, granules are embedded in a UV resistant acrylic polymer that bonds them to the metal substrate. These granules may be the same granules found on asphalt shingles. This type of stone coating or stone chip coating can be found on stone coated, or stone-chip coated metal tile roofs. This finish option gives the ridge cap a look and texture similar to that of the actual asphalt shingle and allows the ridge cap the ability to match the texture and colors of the asphalt shingles.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the third piece of the ridge vent system is called the ridge vent cap, or simply vent cap. The vent cap 103 may be made of pre-painted metal to extend the life span of the unit, protecting against deterioration of the metal. The vent cap 103 may be manufactured in ten foot long sections that can be cut and installed into smaller sections as required. In one embodiment, the vent cap 103 is fourteen inches wide with a bend centered seven inches from each side to create a ridge line. Along each of the long edges of the vent cap, the metal is bent at an angle under and downward. The bend 103A may be about a half inch in length, for example, and the angle between the bend and the main portion of the vent cap may be such that, when installed, the bend 103A is positioned at about a 45 degree angle with respect to vertical. The bend 103A is designed to force wind-driven rain downward onto the roof surface 107 prior to reaching the perforation holes 206 located in the Z rail 201, as previously described. The vent cap 103 is attached by screws, rivets, or similar fasteners that will penetrate through and attach the ridge cap to the upper, or top, one inch flange 202 of the perforated Z rail, Alternatively, the ridge cap may be attached with a self puncturing device that will penetrate the upper and lower edge of the vent cap section and the top one inch flange of the Z rail, thereby attaching the two units together.

The vent cap 103 may be made in various colors to match existing roof colors. Like the end caps, the vent cap section can also be covered with a coating, such as a stone coating or a stone chip coating.

Note that, although the roof vent is especially suitable for use as a ridge roof vent, the same construction or similar may also be used on flat roofs or other types of roofs other than ridged roofs.

When the vent cap is installed with the Z rails and end caps they become a water tight venting system that allows the warm air inside the attic to escape out through the vent system. Typical air conditioning costs may be significantly reduced. This system requires no power to operate and has no moving parts. The venting system is made of metal or pre-painted metal so it does not require the use or installation of any other ridge shingles to shed or resist the infiltration of water into or through the vented opening. The vent system can also be removed and reinstalled again after the roof has been replaced. A vent system made from metal, as described in the foregoing description, has numerous benefits to the consumer, such as:

-   1) Class A fire rated -   2) Increases the lifespan of the roof -   3) Does not require a separate ridge shingle. -   4) Longer lifespan (than plastic) -   5) Improved ventilation throughout the attic -   6) Lowers cooling cost -   7) Does not require power to operate -   8) No moving parts (quiet, makes no sound) -   9) Reusable

It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The foregoing description is therefore to be regarded as illustrative, not restrictive. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, not the foregoing description, and all changes which some within the range of scope of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein. 

What is claimed is
 1. A roof vent comprising: first and second Z-shaped members, each Z-shaped member comprising a top portion, a bottom portion and a middle portion joining the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein perforations are formed in at least part of the middle portion; a vent cap attached to and extending between the first and second Z-shaped members, the vent cap comprising edge flanges that extend inwardly at an acute angle relative to the vent cap and project downwardly so as to deflect downward wind and rain; and at least one end cap ajoining the Z-shaped members and the vent cap for enclosing a space above the roof.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein perforations are formed in at least part of the bottom portion of the Z-shaped members.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the Z-shaped members comprises an edge lip that extends upwardly toward the top portion of the Z-shaped members.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the roof vent is a roof ridge vent shaped so as to follow contours of a roof ridge.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vent cap comprising an apex, a first portion extending downwardly from the apex in one direction, and a second portion extending downwardly from the apex in an opposite direction.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the end cap comprising a chevron-shaped closure portion, a first flange portion configured to underlie the vent cap, and a second flange portion configured to underlie a final roofing material.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the vent cap and the end cap comprises an applied finished that simulates roofing material.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising at least one adjustable closure coupled to a Z-shaped member for reducing venting action and protecting against penetration of wind and rain.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the adjustable closure is configured to at least partially close at least some of said perforations.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the closure member comprises perforations, and wherein the closure member and the Z-shaped member are coupled such that a degree of registration of perforations of the closure member and the Z-shaped member is adjustable.
 11. A roof vent comprising: first and second Z-shaped members, each Z-shaped member comprising a top portion, a bottom portion and a middle portion joining the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein perforations are formed in at least part of the middle portion; a vent cap attached to and extending between the first and second Z-shaped members; at least one end cap adjoining the Z-shaped members and the vent cap for enclosing a space above the roof ridge; and at least one adjustable closure coupled to a Z-shaped member for reducing venting action and protecting against penetration of wind and rain.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the closure member is configured to at least partially close at least some of said perforations.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the closure member comprises perforations, and wherein the closure member and the Z-shaped member are coupled such that a degree of registration of perforations of the closure member and the Z-shaped member is adjustable.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the vent cap comprises edge flanges that extend inwardly at an acute angle relative to the vent cap and project downwardly from the vent cap so as to deflect downward wind and rain.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein perforations are formed in at least part of the bottom portion of the Z-shaped member.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the bottom portion of the Z-shaped member comprises an edge lip that extends upwardly toward the top portion.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the roof vent is a roof ridge vent shaped so as to follow contours of a roof ridge.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the vent cap comprising an apex, a first portion extending downwardly from the apex in one direction, and a second portion extending downwardly from the apex in an opposite direction.
 19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the end cap comprising a chevron-shaped closure portion, a first flange portion configured to underlie the vent cap, and a second flange portion configured to underlie a final roofing material.
 20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of the vent cap and the end cap comprises an applied finished that simulates roofing material.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vent cap and the Z-shaped members are configured such that the edge flanges of the vent cap engage the top portions of the Z-shaped members, with the top portions of the Z-shaped members in a protruding position.
 22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the vent cap and the Z-shaped members are configured such that the edge flanges of the vent cap engage the top portions of the Z-shaped members, with the top portions of the Z-shaped members in a protruding position. 